[The Hon. Galahad Threepwood]

OK. I wasn't in a panic over it or anything.

But he's miles from the nearest airport, over an urban residential area, and I've never seen anyone do that around this part of town before (which is, of course, why I found it unusual). If he'd been near an airport, I would have thought nothing about it.

And I still think he was too low.

[epluribus_2]

I used to do it from just over 500 feet up (1400 feet above sea level). You are simulating looking for a landing spot before an emergency landing or maneuvering near an airport where you need to see the ground real well. You pick a point (pretty house, barn, etc.) and keep it in the middle of the circle, bank your wings, lift the nose and add a touch of power to avoid losing altitude... it's amazing how I can hear my instructor's voice after 15 years...)